Keep warm this Winter
With a cold snap expected this Winter,
we wanted to put together some helpful advice to help you keep warm
and safe in your home.
Financial help with heating your
home
If you are over 60, disabled or on a
low income, you may be able to get financial help to heat your
home. For more information on schemes like cold weather
payments, winter fuel payments and Warm Front, see the information
on the
Direct Gov website.
Stay warm in your home
Cold Weather
Payment
If you're receiving
certain benefits during very cold weather, you may qualify for a
cold Weather Payment (link to the Direct Gov website)
Tips to stay warm and safe in your
home during the winter:
A warm home during the day
To keep warm at home during the day
try to:
- heat your main living room to around 18-21°C (64-70°F) and the
rest of the house to at least 16°C (61°F)
- heat all the rooms you use in the day
- make sure you keep your living room warm throughout the day and
heat your bedroom before going to bed
- set the timer on your heating to come on before you get up and
switch off when you go to bed
In very cold weather, set the heating
to come on earlier, rather than turn the thermostat up. This means
you won’t be cold while you wait for your home to heat up.
A warm home at night
To keep safe and warm at home during
the night you should:
- try to keep the temperature above 18°C (65°F) in your bedroom
overnight
- open the window or door a little at night for ventilation if
you use a fire or heater in your bedroom during winter
- never use hot water bottles in the same bed as an electric
blanket, even if the blanket is switched off
- unplug blankets before you go to bed, unless they have a
thermostat control for safe all-night use
- get your electric blanket tested every three years for safety –
Age UK or your local fire and rescue service may be able to do this
for you
To be put in touch with an Age UK
group near you, call Age UK’s freephone advice line on 0800 169
6565.
Dress warmly by:
- wearing plenty of thin layers, rather than one thick
one
- putting on a coat, hat, scarf, gloves and warm shoes or boots
when you go outside
- wearing clothes made of wool, cotton or fleecy synthetic
fibres
- wearing bed socks and thermal underwear at night
Stay healthy in winter
There are things you can do that will
reduce the risk of illness and protect you against the cold.
Get an annual flu jab
You can get a free jab if
you:
- have serious heart, lung or kidney disease or
diabetes
- have a weak immune system, caused by disease or medical
treatment
- have had a stroke or TIA (transient ischaemic
attack)
- are aged 65 years or over
- are pregnant
Contact your GP or talk to your
pharmacist if you think you might qualify for a free flu jab.
Find a local GP or pharmacist (Opens new window)
Who to contact if you need further
help
If you are worried about a relative or
an elderly neighbour in the cold weather, contact you local
East Kent Housing team
You can also call the free Age UK
advice line on 0800 169 6565.
Other useful information about
'keeping warm and safe this Winter'